On January 24 each year, we celebrate the International Day of Education. This year’s theme is “Artificial Intelligence (AI) and education: Preserving human agency in a world of automation.” This theme encourages us to think about how education can help people understand and engage with technology.
As AI becomes a bigger part of our lives, it raises questions about the role of human agency. We must consider how to maintain and enhance our ability to make choices in a fast-paced, tech-driven world.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) focuses on AI’s impact on education. This event highlights how AI is changing how we teach and learn, while education helps ensure that AI works in ethical and inclusive ways that respect human values.
Audrey Azoulay, the UNESCO Director-General, emphasizes that AI can greatly benefit education if used responsibly. She believes that technology should enhance, not replace, the human elements of learning. Therefore, it should serve both teachers and students, promoting their independence and well-being.
UNESCO encourages member countries to invest in training for teachers and students on how to use AI responsibly in education.
In Iran, the role of AI in education was discussed in a national conference on October 9. This event highlighted how AI tools can enhance the quality of education by providing innovative solutions and improving overall efficiency. AI helps analyze educational data and gives immediate feedback, benefiting both students and educators.
The conference explored several key areas: identifying challenges and strengths, fostering collaborative environments, and developing new assessment methods using technology. Topics ranged from AI in medical education to ethical concerns and the future of educational practices.
One significant concern is the lack of clear guidelines for using AI in education. In wealthier countries, most secondary school students have access to generative AI tools for their studies. Many teachers are utilizing AI to aid lesson planning and evaluate student work. However, only 10% of educational institutions have formal frameworks in place for AI use, according to a UNESCO survey from May 2023.
By 2022, only seven countries had established AI programs for teachers, and just 15 included AI training in their educational standards. Meanwhile, some countries are imposing restrictions on technology use in classrooms. For instance, nearly 40% of countries now have laws or policies banning mobile phones in schools, a rise from 24% just a few months earlier.
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Iran,artificial intelligence,International Day of Education
